Jacob p



Jan. 19, 1932. J. P. SELLMER AIRPLANE Filed May 10. 1930 IN V ENT OR.

Patented Jan. 19, 1932 JACOB, P. SELLMER, F STINSON BEACH, CALIFORNIA AIRPLANE Applieatian fired Ray 10,

his inventiun relates tc sircr-aft.

It is the, priu'lary olij ert c'li l-Ll']|Q*li;1\'GilLlUl1 to, provide a rotating air foil, or all" screw for aircraft, and particularly 'lci heavier than.

air craft. ficr lifting tin aircraft by reason of the lift l'cilCllOll 0r thrust 0f rotary air foils, thereby to. enable the sircrait tc rise descend vertically anrl to hover abcve the grcuml scid air foil cr aria screw being fcrrncd oil? a with a spiral cut thkn the laces thcreoflfivicling the disc inlu a, contiimuw; spiral strip cr ribbon which, wlicn collapsed, farms 2r ccntiimcus plane; means being prcvirlcdtr. lrcld the rim of tbs disc when the center cf the spiral is fcrccsl cut cf the plane of the disc, to form a spiral cone 0m 0i time horizontal rounds of the spiral; strip i'kLIOtllQl. obj cct. oi the invention is the pro- 39 \risicn cf an iii-1r: foil which is formed cf a disc by cutting the disc intc a. ccnfinlious spiral stri cxtcneling frcm its outcr periphcry tcwar its center, thc se rofml being (lispcserl apposite. a. space betweenthc, sustaining planes or Wings at the airplane; ills rim of tlrc disc being held. in a csnstzmt level relatively to the said Win-gs; means being pres virlcd tcforce tlic ccntcr of the spiral up; warilly to form a. vcrtical air scrcw, t0 which rotati-cn. is impsrtscl at will duringthe rise or descent of the plane. In its collapscdg p0 siticni tl-ic acrofoil adapted tn conpsmtc "2th. thc and with the usual propeller of the air-plum, to cperatg as a sustaining plane, receiving the thrust from said usual propeller.

Othcr objects and advantages arc to pro Vldfi aircraft that will be superior in point of simplicity, inexpensivcness of constructicn,,. positiv-encss of cperaticn, and facility and convenience in use and gcnsral cficiency.

In this specification and the annexed draw lugs, the invention is illustrated in the form considered to be the. best, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such form, ldcCQXkSQ it may be embodied in other forms; and it is alsc to bc undcrstcml that in and by the cla ms following the description, it. is :lesi-red tc cover 121% iDYBHtiOfi 59 in. whatsoever form it may be embodied.

1930i Swim 1m Mail The invention is clearly illustrated in the mccclnpanyin-g ilmwings wherein,

F'g. l is a. sirlc View of an airplane, with 1m; aerofcil there/01L.

Fig. 2 is a top plane View 0f the airplane anal the, acrcfoil; and.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sccticnal View of tin nirplsuc, showing the acrci'ail; and its. 0pc!- ating mechanism in section.

Thc advantage of a helicopter cvcr thc usual airplane resides in its ability to rise and QLQSQQIUI. vcrtically. However, the usual type cl hclicoptcr maintained in; the air by its rotating air screw exclusively. In my invcntion the air screw is used. primarily for lifting the airplane all the ground to a certain altitude, thereafter the airplane is to be maintained and propelled in the air in the usual manner. F01:- this purpose I provide an air scrcw, which is adapted to 0peratc as s sustaining plane when in inoperative position. The air screw or zicrol'oil (i. of my invention cmnprises a Hat disc which has a. spiral cut 7 thru the face cf the disc, extending from a point 8 adjacent the outer periphery of the disc, spirally towzrrul the center cf the disc to a paint 9 adjacent said center so as to cut the disc into a ccntinuuus spiral strip 01' ribbun, thc rounds 11 (if which are of substantially equal Width andare in the same plans when callapsed.

On, the outer periphery a l the disc is fixed a. rim 12 which is held at constant level relzr tively bar the rcspcctivc aircraft, by means of brace members 13. and. 14:, The members 13 extend mm the rim l2 duwnwardly to a. c0llnr l6, and the lncmbcrs Ll extend upwardly kc c collar 17., The collars 16 and 12' are rctatablc, on a fiXfld standard 18, which latter extends thru the center of the disc.

In, order to rcndsr the disc operative as an air screw, it is necessary to force the, center of the spiral strip out (if the plane of the disc, thereby forcing the spiral strip into a helical cone formed by substantially parallel, hor'- zontal, flat rounds oi the spiral strip. If the air screw is. held. in this extended position and rctation is, imparted thcretc, it will screw itself intc the air and lift thc aircraft, or rclard the descending of the aircraft, as the case may be.

In the present construction the aircraft used is the usual airplane. The fuselage it) has comparatively short lower stub wings 21 on the opposite sides thereof, merely to provide a support for struts 22 on which is socured the sustaining plane or wing 23 of the airplane. The opposite ends of the trailing edges of the win 23 have the usual ailerons :Zlthereon. The sustaining plane or wing is cut away at a point intermediate its center above the fuselage 19 to leave a free space above the air screw 6 allowing the free operation thereof. A cross member 26 extending laterally thru the space between the wing sections. connects the same and has the upper end of the standard 18 fixed therein. The iower end of the standard 18 is fixed onto the lioor of the fuselage 19.

The airplane is provided with the usual tractor propeller 27 to cooperate with the ing and with the collapsed, stationary air si-rew 6 when the airplane is in flight. lit is to he noted that it is desirable to rotate the extended air screw 6 during rising and de scent, and to collapse the air screw (3 during the flight in the air so as to offer additional sustaining plane for the airplane, opposite the space where the wing 23 is interrupted.

The telescoping of the air screw 6 is accomplished by the use of a sleeve 28, which is slidable on an inner sleeve 29, which latter is rotatable, but not slidable, on the standard 18. The sleeves 2S and 29 are keyed to each other to rotate together. The sleeve 28 extends only to the center of the air screw 6 and is fixedly secured thereto. The lower end of the inner sleeve 29 is supported in a bracket 31 fixed on the fuselage 19. Above the bracket is :1 collar 32 secured to the lower end of the outer sleeve 28.

In order to extend the air screw 6, a lifting mechanism is provided which consists of a lever Z13 fnlerunu'd on the side of the fuselae'e W. The free end of the lever 33 is formed into a yoke to engage an annular groove on the collar 32 for moving the same vertically, yet permitting the rotation of the collar 32 with the sleeves 28 and 29. On the fulcrum of the lever 33 is a gear 34 in mesh with a worm 36 journaled in suitable bearings on the fuselage 19. The Worm 36 is operated by a shaft 37 having a crank 38 at the end thereof.

W'hen the crank 38 is rotated, the rotation is transmitted to the worm 36 and gear 34 so as to turn the lever 33 around its fulcrum. \Vhen the lever 33 is turned upwardly into the dotted line position, shown in Fig. 3, it lifts the collar 32 therewith thereby raising the outer sleeve 28, the upper end of which forces the center of the spiral strip out of the plane of the disc, so that the rounds of the spiral assume substantially the positions indicated in dash and dot lines in Fig. 3. The worm 36 and gear 3i are self locking so as to hold the air screw (J in extended position.

Rotation is imparted to the extended air screw 6 thru bevel gearing 259 which is connected by means of a usual clutch mechanism 41 to a prime mover, not shown. The clutch 41 may connect to the usual engine of the airplane.

It is to be noted that the collar 16 is slidaloly keyed to the outer sleeve 28 and is held in a suitable bearing on the top of the fuselage 19. The collar 17 is keyed to the inner sleeve 29. In this manner rotativc power is transmitted to the collars l6 and 17, whereby rotation is imparted to the rim of the disc as well as to the center of the disc. Thus the air screw is rotated uniformly to create the desired vertical thrust to lift the airplane from the ground.

It is to be understood that the telescoping and rotating mechanisms herein described, are for the purpose of illustration to show an embodiment of the invention, and other suitable operating mechanisms for the air screw may be adopted. It is also to be understood that the same principle of operation may be applied to different types of aircraft, not only to the airplane shown.

In operation the air screw 6 is extended before the airplane leaves the ground or before it lands, rotation is imparted thereto so that it lifts the airplane vertically or slightly retards its vertical drop as the case may be. The speed of rotation of the air screw is to be controlled in the customary manner. After the airplane reaches a desired altitude, the traction propeller 27 is operated, and the air screw is telescoped into collapsed position, and brought to a standstill by disconnecting the power therefrom, so as to operate as an additional sustaining plane, cooperating with the traction propeller, at a point where the wings of the airplane are interrupted.

The airplane is controlled. in other respects in the usual manner by means of its rudder 42 and elevator 43.

Having thus described this invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 15:

l. A rotary aerofoil comprising a. substantially fiat disc having a spiral cut thru the face thereof to divide the disc into a continuous spiral strip from the outer periphery toward its center, the center of the spiral strip being adapted to be forced out of the plane of the disc above the rim of the disc, thereby to form a conical spiral aerofoil, for lifting an aircraft into the air when rotated.

2. A rotating aerofoil formed by a continuous spiral strip having the flat faces thereof in the plane of the disc, means to hold the outer periphery of the disc in a congauge:

stant plane relatively to: an aircraft; and means to force the spiral strip out of its collapsed disc plane into a conical helix and to rotate the entire disc on the aircraft thereby to lift the aircraft into the air.

3'. In combination with an aircraft, a rotating aerofoil comprising a substantially flat disc having a spiral cut thru the face thereof to divide the disc into as continuous spiral strip fromthe outer periphery toward its center, the center of the spiral strip being adapted to be forced out of the plane of the disc above the rim of the disc, thereby to form a conical spiral aero foil; means on the aircraft to rotatably support the outer periphery of the disc on the aircraft; means to force the center of the disc out of the plane of the disc to form the disc into a helical cone, and means on the aircraft to rotate said aerofoil to lift the aircraft into the air.

i. In combination. with an aircraft, a rotating aerofoil comprising a substantially flat disc having a spiral cut thru the face thereof to divide the disc into a continuous spiral strip from the outer periphery toward its center, the center of the spiral strip being adapted to be forced out of the plane of the disc above the rim of the disc, thereby to form a conical spiral aerofoil; means on the aircraft to rotatably support the outer periphery of the disc on the aircraft; means to force the center of the disc out of the plane of the disc to form the disc into a helical cone; means on the aircraft to rotate said aerofoil to lift the aircraft into the air; sustaining planes on the aircraft; and a usual propeller on the aircraft to cooperate with the said sustaining planes.

5. In con'ibination with an aircraft, a retating aerofoil comprising a substantially flat disc having a spiral cut thru the face thereof to divide the disc into a continuous spiral strip from the outer peripher toward its center, the center of the s ira' strip being adapted to be forced out o the plane of the disc above the rim of the disc, thereby to form a conical spiral aerofoil; means on the aircraft to rotatably sup ort the outer periphery of the disc on t e aircraft; means to force the center of the disc out of the plane of the disc to form the disc into a helical cone; means on the aircraft to rotate said aerofoil to lift the aircraft into the air; sustaining planes on the aircraft; and a usual propeller on the aircraft to cooperate with the said sustaining planes, said disc being disposed in a constant plane relatively to the sustaining planes to form an additional sustaining plane when collapsed into its disc shape.

6. In combination with an aircraft, a 1'0 tatin acrofoil comprising a substantially fiat disc having a spiral cut thru the face thereof to divide the disc into a continuous spiral strip from the outer periphery toward its center, the center of the spiral strip being adapted to be forced out of the plane of the disc above the rim of the thereby to form a; conical spiral aero foil; means on the aircraft to rotataelaly support the outer periphery of the disc on the aircraft; meansto force the center ofthe disc out of the plane of the disc to farm the disc into a helical cone; means on the aircraft to rotate said aerofoil to lift the aircraft into the air; sustaining planes on the aircraft extending in opposite directions on opposite sides of the aerofo-il so as to leave the space between the inner ends of the sustaining planes free for the thrust produced by the rotating airfoil; and a usual propeller on the aircraft to cooperate with the said sustaining planes.

7. In an aircraft having a fuselage, and forward propelling mechanism on the fuselage, a sustaining plane on the fuselage to cooperate with the propelling mechanism, said sustaining plane being interrupted intcrmediate its ends, a standard supported on the fuselage below the space between the sections of the interrupted sustaining plane, an air screw rotatably mounted on the standard to exert a: vertical thrust to lift the aircraft into the air; means on the aircraft to impart rotation to the air screw, said air screw being collapsible into the form of a disc opposite the space between the sustaining planes, to provide an additional sustaining plane when collapsed; and means to expand and collapse said air screw.

8. In an aircraft having a fuselage, and forward propelling mechanism on the fuselage, a sustaining plane on the fuselage to cooperate with the propelling -mcchanism, said sustaining plane being interrupted intermediate its ends, a standard supported on the fuselage below the space between the sections of the interrupted sustaining plane, an air screw rotatably mounted on the standard to exert a vertical thrust to lift the aircraft into the air; means on the aircraft to impart rotation to the air screw, said air screw com.- prising a subsantially flat disc having a spiral cut therethru to divide the disc into a continuous flat spiral strip extending from the outer periphery of the disc toward its center, and means to force the center of the disc upwardly out of the plane of the disc to form a conical, spiral air screw.

3). In an aircraft having a fuselage, and forward propelling mechanism on the fuselage, a sustaining plane on the fuselage to cooperate with the propelling mechanism, said sustaining plane being interrupted intermediate its ends, a standard supported onthe fuselage below the space between the sections of the interrupted sustaining plane, an air screw rotatably mounted on the standard to exert a vertical thrust to lift the aircraft into the air; means on the aircraft to impart rotation to the air screw, said air screw comprising a substantially flat disc having a spiral cut therethru to divide the disc into a continuous fiat spiral strip extending from the outer periphery of the disc toward its center; and means to force the center of the disc upwardly out of the plane of the disc to form a conical, spiral air screw, the center of said spiral being guided on said standard.

10. In an aircraft having a fuselage, and forward propelling mechanism on the fuselage, a sustaining plane on the fuselage to cooperate with the propelling mechanism, said sustaining plane being interrupted intermediate its ends, a standard supported on the fuselage below the space between the sections of the interrupted sustaining plane, an air screw to lift the aircraft into the air; means on the aircraft to impart rotation to the air screw, said air screw comprising a substantially flat disc having a spiral cut therethru to divide the disc into a continuous flat spiral strip extending from the outer periphery of the disc toward its center: and means to force the center of the disc upwardly out of the plane of the disc to form a conical, spiral air screw, the center of said spiral being guided on said standard, said disc being substantially in the level of said interrupted sustaining plane to complement the same in its collapsed position.

11. In an aircraft having a fuselage, and forward propelling mechanism on the fuselage, a sustaining plane on the fuselage to cooperate with the propelling mechanism, said sustaining plane being interrupted intermediate its ends, a standard supported on the fuselage below the space between the sections of the interrupted sustaining plane, an air screw rotatably mounted on the standard to exert a vertical thrust to lift the aircraft into the air; means on the aircraft to impart rotation to the air screw, said air screw comprising a substantially flat disc baring a spiral cut therethru to divide the disc into a continuous flat spiral. strip extending from the outer periphery of the disc toward its center; and means to force the center of the disc upwardly out of the plane of the disc to form a conical, spiral air screw, said last mentioned means being adapted to hold the air screw in extended position.

12. In an aircraft having a fuselage, and forward propelling mechanism on the fuselage, a sustaining plane on the fuselage to cooperate with the propelling mechanism, said sustaining plane being interrupted intermediate its ends, a standard supported on the fuselage below the space between the sections of the interrupted sustaining plane, an air screw rotatably mounted on the stainlard to exert a vertical thrust to lift the aircraft into the air; means on the aircraft to impart rotation to the air screw, said air screw comprising a substantially flat disc having a spiral cut thercthru to divide the disc into a continuous fiat spiral strip extending from the outer periphery of the disc toward its center; means to force the center of the disc upwardly out of the plane of the disc to form a. conical, spiral air screw, said last mentioned means being adapted to hold the air screw in extended position; and a clutch mechanism to operatively connect the said rotating means to the air screw, at will.

13. In an aircraft having a fuselage, and forward propelling mechanism on the fuselage, a sustaining plane on the fuselage to cooperate with the propelling mechanism, said sustaining plane being interrupted intermediate its ends, a standard supported on the fuselage below the space between the sections of the interrupted sustaining plane, an air screw rotatably mounted on the standard to exert a vertical thrust to lift the aircraft into the air; means on the aircraft to impart rotation to the air screw; means to rotatably hold the rim of the air screw at a constant level relatively to the fuselage, said air screw being collapsible into the form of a disc opposite the space between the sustaining planes to provide an additional sustaining plane when collapsed; and means to expand and collapse said air screw.

14. In an aircraft having a fuselage, and forward propelling mechanism on the fuselage, a sustaining plane on the fuselage to cooperate with the propelling mechanism, said sustaining plane being interrupted intcrmcdiate its ends, a standard supported on the fuselage below the space between the sec ti oils of the interrupted sustaining plane, an air screw rotatably mounted on the standard to exert a vertical thrust to lift the aircraft into the air; means on the aircraft to impart rotation to the air screw; means to rotatably hold the rim of the air screw at a constant level relativcly to the fuselage, said air screw comprising a substantially flat disc having a spiral cut therethru to divide the disc into a ci'intiuuous flat spiral strip extending from the outer periphery of the disc toward its center; and means to force the center of the disc upwardly out of the plane of the disc to form a conical, spiral air screw.

15. In an aircraft having a fuselage. and forward propelling mechanism on the fuse lage, a sustaining plane on the fuselage to cooperate with the propelling mechanism, said sustaining plane being interrupted intermediate its ends, a standard supported on the fuselage below the space between the sections of the interrupted sustaining plane, an air screw rotatably mounted on the standard to exert a vertical thrust to lift the aircraft into the air; means on the aircraft to impart rotation to the air screw; means to rotatably hold the rim of the air screw at a constant level relatively to the fuselage, said air screw comprising a substantially flat disc having a spiral cut therethru to divide the disc into a continuous flet spiral strip extending from the enter periphery of the disc toward its center; and means to force the center of the disc upwardly out of the plane of the disc to form a conical, spiral air screw, the center of said spiral being guided on said standard.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Stinson Beach, California, this 20th day of March, 1930.

JACOB P. SELLMER 

